faba Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Louisville Is Not Acting Like a Big East Novice Reprints By PETE THAMEL Published: July 20, 2005 NEWPORT, R.I., July 19 - Soon after Howard Schnellenberger returned to his native Louisville to take over the university's football program in 1985, he made one of his trademark declarations. For Brian Brohm, playing quarterback at Louisville is a family tradition. His father and a brother were quarterbacks for the Cardinals. The New York Times "We're on a collision course with the national championship," the swashbuckling Schnellenberger said. "The only variable is time." Schnellenberger became coach of a program coming off a 2-9 season with little tradition and an administration that was considering dropping football. But 20 years later, Schnellenberger's prediction is no longer laughable. Louisville enters its first season in the reconfigured Big East as the prohibitive favorite for the conference's Bowl Championship Series berth. After an 11-1 season in 2004, with its only loss coming at Miami, Louisville's ability to contend for a national title is unquestioned. "It looks like it's come to pass," Schnellenberger said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "Louisville reminds me a lot of the University of Miami." Schnellenberger, now the coach at Florida Atlantic, led Miami's rise from obscurity to its first national title in 1983. Now Louisville is expected to take on Miami's former role as the Big East's flagship football program. With Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College leaving in the past two years for the Atlantic Coast Conference, Louisville headlines the Big East's football newcomers, which include its fellow Conference USA defectors South Florida and Cincinnati. Louisville will be expected to carry the new conference as Syracuse and Pittsburgh adjust to new coaches, South Florida and Connecticut mature as programs, and West Virginia replaces its top players from last season. And as happy as the Big East is to have Louisville, the Cardinals are delighted to be there. "I think the greatest thing for our program is that we can look at our players in the eyes and look at the recruits we're talking to and tell them that if we win the Big East Conference, we're in a B.C.S. bowl game," Coach Bobby Petrino said at the Big East's media day Tuesday. The beginning of Louisville's football revival traces back to Schnellenberger, who started a grass-roots project to build the current 42,000-seat stadium and gave the program a defining victory - a 34-7 thrashing of Alabama in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl. But after Schnellenberger left for Oklahoma following the 1994 season, the program went into a downward spiral under Ron Cooper, bottoming out with a 1-10 season in 1997. Soon after, the athletic director Tom Jurich hired John L. Smith away from Utah State, and the program has not slowed since. Smith cobbled together a 7-5 record the next season, with Petrino as offensive coordinator, and the spread offense led the nation by averaging 559.9 yards a game. It did not matter that Louisville could not stop anyone. The turnaround and the quirky offense gave the program some much-needed buzz. The Cardinals adopted a "First one to 50 wins" mantra and became a fixture on ESPN's weeknight games. "People thought we were crazy, but I think it's done everything for this program because we needed exposure," Jurich said. "We've played every night of the week except Monday." The publicity, combined with an offense attractive to skill-position players, helped fuel recruiting. Soon enough, Smith had the program soaring. Louisville went to bowl games in all five of Smith's seasons from 1998 through 2002, highlighted by an 11-2 season in 2001 and an overtime victory over No. 4 Florida State in 2002. Smith left for Michigan State after the 2002 season, and Jurich brought back Petrino, who, after installing his offense at Louisville in 1998, went on to work as offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Auburn. Petrino lacks Smith's charisma, but his results have been unquestioned. He has gone 20-5 the past two seasons, including the 11-1 record last season. Petrino bemoaned that lone loss to Miami, saying that the Cardinals would have played in a B.C.S. bowl if they had won. (Louisville instead played in the Liberty Bowl and beat Boise State.) At Miami, Louisville led by 24-7 at halftime, but the star safety Kerry Rhodes dropped a probable interception with 3 minutes 24 seconds remaining that could have sealed the outcome. Miami came back to win, 41-38. But the game, which of course was played on a Thursday night on national television, resonates despite the final score. "Playing the way we did, it was a win for our program," Petrino said. The program is booming. In the last eight years, the football budget has increased to $12 million from $4.5 million, and a stadium expansion of 18,000 seats and 30 suites is in the works. Season tickets are capped at 35,000, as Louisville football has emerged as the class program in Kentucky. The fans will have plenty to watch this season with the sophomore quarterback Brian Brohm as the starter. Brohm, a Louisville native whose father and a brother played quarterback for the Cardinals, was the country's top quarterback recruit two years ago. And if Louisville is to complete this revival and make a prophet out Schnellenberger, it will probably be with Brohm piling up numbers in Petrino's diverse offense. And while time is still the main variable separating Louisville from a national title, it is clearly much shorter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I think Pitt is going to surprise a lot of people and run away with this conference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Louisville may score 400 points this year against this conference. God, I wish that the NCAA would get to the point of the Super Conferences: ACC, PAC 10 , Big 10 (11), SEC, Big 12 and let these other Mtn West type conferences battle it out for a wild card. The dreg conferences are slowly being separarted more and more. Unfortunately, the Big East is now a dreg conference in football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Louisville may score 400 points this year against this conference. God, I wish that the NCAA would get to the point of the Super Conferences: ACC, PAC 10 , Big 10 (11), SEC, Big 12 and let these other Mtn West type conferences battle it out for a wild card. The dreg conferences are slowly being separarted more and more. Unfortunately, the Big East is now a dreg conference in football Scott The Big East will be a power in college BB that will nullify some of the bad football teams they will most likely have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Scott, I was talking about this with Rigs a little while back. Louisville sold its great football team down the river to pimp its basketball team. The Big East is an absolute sh*t conference and Louisville could easily go undefeated and win every conference game by 50 and still not get into the top 5 in the polls. And 124, Pitt sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Scott, I was talking about this with Rigs a little while back. Louisville sold its great football team down the river to pimp its basketball team. The Big East is an absolute sh*t conference and Louisville could easily go undefeated and win every conference game by 50 and still not get into the top 5 in the polls. And 124, Pitt sucks. The Big East is really a glorified Mountain West now. It is a Conference, much like the WAC was where if you have a Ty Detmer or a Robbie Bosco and a system, they can put up huge numbers because they don't have the qyality or size throughout the conference to stop them. East Carolina was the same for a few years with Garrard at QB. I would probably put MAC in front of the Big East in quality football programs right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R44 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Yeah, the B-East will be down this season. Loisville and Pitt (could be real solid) are the only real hopes for the upcoming season. I really believe the B-E could've lost Miami and VT and still fared well going foward-- but losing BC was a crusher and Cincinnati, a private school, and South Florida add very little...Why haven't they urged D1-AA power Hofstra to make the jump up? Brohm, with LaFors gone, could be insane. Him and Tennessee soph Erik Ainge are incredible prospects (how good is Henne?)....Louisville has stars all over that roster--Jason Spitz and Travis Leffew will be the top 2 lineman in the conference. Good team, but as TS noted, almost no shot at going in the top 5 due to a weak conference, after Pitt. Essentially, they are like Boise State and Utah in 2004--can totally kick a$$, but have almost zero nat'l title hopes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Rigs-How do you feel about Henne? As far as pure QB talent, I would have to at least put him on par with Ainge. He certainl;y will be a better pro prospect. I cant see how Penn State let that kid slip through their fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Rigs-How do you feel about Henne? As far as pure QB talent, I would have to at least put him on par with Ainge. He certainl;y will be a better pro prospect. I cant see how Penn State let that kid slip through their fingers. I could NOT believe that Henne was a freshman last year. He may have been the most clutch QB in the NCAA last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 I could NOT believe that Henne was a freshman last year. He may have been the most clutch QB in the NCAA last year. As impressive was the running of true freshman Hart. I swear, I saw that kid get at least 35 carries in a couple of games, and get stronger. I am not a Michigan booster, but if they get any defense, and these kids improve, they will be a handful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetlag Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 My Bearcats are going to run through the Big East like a plastic spoon through a brick wall. I can't wait!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 My Bearcats are going to run through the Big East like a plastic spoon through a brick wall. I can't wait!!! Jetlag I read that Bearcats have practically no returning starters so good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Jetlag I read that Bearcats have practically no returning starters so good luck Did they lose Gaguili, or whatever that QB's name was? Weren't they Jeckel and Hyde team last year-awful to start and then a great finish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Man... no love for West Virginia? They do have most of their starters returning, save for the QB who ran and the WR who never played, cause he was always in trouble. As for Chad Henne... he was good, but lets remember he was also throwing to the best WR in college. And he had Mike Hart running the ball. Imagine if Lloyd could recruit and actually coach the talent he recruits for defense. And, I am a Michigan fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetlag Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Did they lose Gaguili, or whatever that QB's name was? Weren't they Jeckel and Hyde team last year-awful to start and then a great finish? Gino Guidugli got drafted by the Titans. Hell he might have a shot at sticking with the team because of McNairs' injuries. They're going to have 16 new starters and a true freshman QB, Dustin Garza. I like the coach though, Mark Dantonio. He used to be Ohio State's defensive coordinator. So if he could bring some of that toughness to a young team they could start to look like an actual Div 1 team in 2006-2007. There is going to be a lot of growing pains this season coming up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R44 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Rigs-How do you feel about Henne? As far as pure QB talent, I would have to at least put him on par with Ainge. He certainl;y will be a better pro prospect. I cant see how Penn State let that kid slip through their fingers. Scott, sorry I didn't see this earlier....Ainge and Brohm are the "proto-type" "robo QB's", if you know I mean--size, arm, ect... Henne is just a winner. At 6'2" (he may be smaller) his size isn't an positive, but he was just beyond fantastic in 2004....He got even better as the season went on--cut down big time on the Int's. Henne is also reported to possess 4.6 speed--fast too...But, as my frind Shadow mentioned, Henne was surronded by great talent--super WR; fantastic line; big time RB. I like him a lot. I think in time, you may see the Brady comparisons crop up... From my recollection, Brady took a huge hit on draft day for running 5.0's...that, obviously, never became a problem. The soph QB class is loaded Henne, Ainge, Brohm with leading the way... Scott, here's my list of top Freshman from 2004: http://draftdaddy.com/prospects/bestFresh.cfm . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Still no love for West Viriginia? Damn.... Chad Henne still has a ton of talent. Michigan has a stud running back coming in, along with the returning sophmore, Mike Hart. They have Jason Avant and Steve Breaston, along with a WR I heard about, who's an absolute freak. And the offensive line is always the offensive line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R44 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Tell you what, West Virginia has some great DB's....perhaps 3 NFL prospects--S Mike Lorello; S Jahmile Addae and Anthony Mims... Their new QB is a Bednarik, related to the NFL great Chuck Bednarik... They should be a facinating team to watch, if Bednarik comes through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 A buddy of mine went and graduated from WVU not too long ago, so he is always talking about the football team, and basektball team. So, I hear alot about them, and the Big Least. By all rights, Louisville should own the Big Least, at least for the next couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 who cares who wins the Big Least if a team gets good they join another conference, its like English soccer. they hope to have a good year and move up a notch in division... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 ACC is going to be really tough this year. We play BC the third week of the season, and in the Atlantic ACC Division with us. Used to be all we had to worry about was Maryland and occassionally UVA, now we have Miami,the Hokies, and BC to fight with. Miami game isn't looking too good either. Lee Starting (don't mind, great athletic ability, but a freshman), Cromartie's out for the year, and Sims and Nicholson are both suspended for first game of season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitonti Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 two words for West Virginia JASON GWALTNEY this guy is the best Long Island running back since Jim Brown. One to watch. Hows that for some love SS? btw i think Gino Guiludi was UDFA not drafted - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 West Virginia has sucked since Bulger left. The CUse is HURTING at QB. Pitt is over-rated. Rutgers has a chance, but if they win 7 games that will be alot. UConn is hurting as well at QB. It's Louisville -25 all year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 For Rutgers to have a chance the QB Ryan Hart has to have a much better year- on offense they have some good players in Tre Moses, Clark Harris at tight end and Brian Leonard at running back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 They haven't dumped Ryan Hart in Raritan Bay yet? Oy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 two words for West Virginia JASON GWALTNEY this guy is the best Long Island running back since Jim Brown. One to watch. Hows that for some love SS? btw i think Gino Guiludi was UDFA not drafted - I'll pass the note on to my buddy, Bit. And TS, they did make a New Year's day bowl last year. I know Mav goes there... but I hate Felon State. I also hate all things ACC and SEC. It's a Big Ten thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I'll pass the note on to my buddy, Bit. And TS, they did make a New Year's day bowl last year. I know Mav goes there... but I hate Felon State. I also hate all things ACC and SEC. It's a Big Ten thing. No worries. I Dont expect everyone to love them. I still root for Michigan, but don't think that FSU is the only NCAA football program that doesn't have its hand in the cookie jar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormshadow19 Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 No worries. I Dont expect everyone to love them. I still root for Michigan, but don't think that FSU is the only NCAA football program that doesn't have its hand in the cookie jar... There's Florida, Thug U (Miami), University of Criminals and Felons... and that's just off my head from the state of Florida! I would say the entire SEC, ACC, and the Big 12 North are all illegal. I've hated FSU and U of F since I can remember. And I just don't know why. Them and nebraska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I can't root for FSU until Bobby stops hiring his idiot sons to undeserved coordinator gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Louisville should romp through the BE. Very talented and well-coached. The conference still gets a BCS bid, so if they win their bowl game, they'll end up in the top five. Wannie the pornstache will have some success at Pitt, but not right away. (Same with Weis at ND) WVU too inconsistent to take seriously. FSU is a 1 point fave in the opener against the Canes. If you believe Sexton's lunacy was due to lime disease, i have a bridge to sell you. He like getting high, and it cost him his future as the FSU QB. Lee is a more athletic QB, even though he's a freshman, I expect to see a lot of QB draws and rollouts from the noles.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 There just seems something wrong to me that Miami vs Florida St. is the first game of the season- those two (and I really have no interest in either school) should play later in the year as big a rivalry that it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 There just seems something wrong to me that Miami vs Florida St. is the first game of the season- those two (and I really have no interest in either school) should play later in the year as big a rivalry that it is I dont like it either. I think there was an agreement to do it for two years as part of Miami's entering the ACC. I heard it will be a different matchup starting next season. BTW Miami and Oklahoma have signed or are on the verge of signing a home and home deal for 07 and 09. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 They haven't dumped Ryan Hart in Raritan Bay yet? Oy. Hey c'mon TS. He almost beat Miami 2 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetfanmack Posted July 24, 2005 Share Posted July 24, 2005 At Miami, Louisville led by 24-7 at halftime, but the star safety Kerry Rhodes dropped a probable interception with 3 minutes 24 seconds remaining that could have sealed the outcome. Miami came back to win, 41-38. I remember that. Screw you, Rhodes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 I can't root for FSU until Bobby stops hiring his idiot sons to undeserved coordinator gigs. Trust me, TS, there is nothing we would love more here at FSU than to see Jeff Bowden burn in hell. He is the dare I say, Paul Hackett of the NCAA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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